Township officials should be aware of the PENNVEST Homeowner Sewage Program, which provides loans to homeowners facing sewer or septic system costs. The PENNVEST program is a joint venture between the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to assist homeowners with the repair or replacement of on-lot septic systems or their connection to public sewer. It also helps homeowners pay for a first-time connection from an existing home to public sewer.  

The PENNVEST Homeowner Septic Program has the following features:  

• 1.75% interest rate (2.55% APR)   

• Maximum loan amount of $25,000   

• No restrictions on household income  

• Terms up to 20 years (15 years for manufactured homes)  

• No prepayment penalty  

Applicants must go through a participating lender to start the loan process. The lenders underwrite the loan and work with homeowners until closing is completed. PHFA then services the loan for the entire life of the loan.   

For more information, including a list of participating lenders, click here. To start the PENNVEST application process, homeowners should contact a participating lender or call PHFA at 1-855-U-Are-Home (827-3466) and then press “0” for the Customer Solutions Center. Interested homeowners may also email septic@phfa.org with questions.